Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1921 Vol. 73 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
40
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
JULY 16,
1921
EUROPES BIGGEST DANCE HIT
MY MAN
AMERICAS BIGGEST DANCE HIT
Sund b H HISS FANNY BRICE in
ZIEGFELD
FOLLIESyi-9-2'1
'ASK TO r & IT
Atune'You Can't Fbrget
«
^
PRICE REDUCTIONS NOT PRACTICAL AT PRESENT TIME
General Reduction of Wholesale and Retail Prices on Popular Numbers Is Not Possible Until
Manufacturing Costs Are Lowered and Royalties Are Based on Much Lower Scale
The thought that is now being given by the
general trade, and particularly by the music
publishers, to the advisability as well as the fea-
sibility of reducing the price of popular music
has brought forth some problems which tend
to show that it would be almost impossible, at
the 1 present time and under present contracts
and arrangements, for the publishers to reduce
the wholesale and retail price of all popular
numbers.
There are, no doubt, individual houses who
could accomplish something along this line, and
there are also numbers in various catalogs that
could readily be reduced, but to make a gen-
eral reduction of all popular works at this time
is almost beyond question. At least no such thing
can occur unless all contracts, royalties, etc.,
are changed to meet such a situation.
Practically everyone in the music business is
familiar enough with printing to know that there
has been no reduction in paper costs, printing
ink, etc., that would warrant lowering the prices
on published material.
Another factor that is involved in the prob-
lem of reducing prices is the present royalty ar-
rangement on 30-cent numbers existing with
most of the songwriters.
Like everybody else, the songwriters, witli
the practical abolition of 10-cent music, man-
aged to increase their royalty contracts, and
only recently the songwriters formed an as-
sociation known as the Lyric Writers' and Com-
posers' Protective League, not only for the pur-
pose of continuing their present arrangements,
but for the further object of adding to their
royalties. Their present activities involve a
series of propositions that are now being given
consideration by the publishers and, while the
publishers are hardly in a position to grant all
that the songwriters ask, there has not as yet
been any decision in that regard and, until such
is arrived at, the publishers are in no position
to make a radical change. One publisher, in
commenting on the situation, said:
"The Lyric Writers' and Composers' Protec-
tive League has chosen a poor time to ask for
REMICK NUMBER WELL FEATURED BY KRESGE IN BOSTON
The Boston store of the S. S. Kresge Co. re-
cently had a most attractive window display of
the Jerome H. Remick & Co. song, "Just Keep
a Thought for Me." This window attracted
unusual attention and as special demonstrations
song was given much prominence. In the cen-
ter is shown a greatly enlarged title page, adja-
cent to which is a large-sized kewpie carrying
the placard, "Just Keep a Thought for Me."
This new Hoston store of the S. S. Kresge
Window Display of "Just Keep a Thought for Me" at S. S. Kresge Store
of the number were given at the music •oriiter chain has, since its opening, paid particular at-
the total sales of the song for the week were tention to its music department. It is under
able management and makes a point of giving
increased substantially.
It can be seen in the reproduction of the music publishers the best co-operation in
window, herewith shown, that the title of the exploiting new numbers.
any further increase in royalties, particularly
inasmuch as the music publishing business is in
a none too healthy state. It only tends to add
to the burdens and problems of the publishers
and in the long run cannot help sales, and in
reality adds to the obstacles now holding back
the resumption of normal service."
The successful songwriter to-day is added to
the writing staff of any organization after much
competition. He always receives numerous of-
fers from publishers before closing a contract
for any period. This tends to give him a
good royalty, as well as contract for the wide
exploitation of his works. The successful song-
writer is recognized and hardly needs any pro-
tection.
The object of the present league is to take
into the fold (and this has been done to a great
extent) not only the successful songwriters,
but those of mediocre caliber as well, and the
purpose of this is, 50 it is said, to raise the
standard of royalties, etc., and place all song-
writers on the same plane; in other words, to
bring about the adaptation of a standard form
of contract.
However, it will hardly work out in this
manner. What it really will do is to make it
possible for the prominent writers to keep in
subjection the lesser lights. For instance, if
there are two manuscripts to be considered by
a publishing house, one from a songwriter with
a following and another one from a writer who
is hardly known, and each of the works has
some merit, there is very little doubt that
the publisher, knowing that the work must be
accepted under a standard contract, will select
for publication the work of the best-known
writer. The lesser light, therefore, has nothing
to gain under a standard form of contract. He
would, of course, if there was a dearth of song
composition, but there is really a greater quan-
tity being produced than the market justifies,
so, after all, he will be the final loser.
These, and other problems, have aill been
added in recent months and have placed the
publisher in a quandary as to how to proceed.
The upshot of the whole proposition may
finally necessitate the publishers cutting down
expenses, discontinuing branch offices and let-
ting numbers succeed on their merit, along with
the aid of publicity channels that do not involve
large expense.
Popular music publishers have gone through
a period of what is described as the biggest
slump in the business. In addition to that, prac-
tically three of the jobbing houses have gotten
into straits that cost the publishers heavily.
The player roll field has likewise suffered a
slump in recent months and this has reduced
royalties on word and instrumental rolls. Ap-
parently talking machine record royalties are not
as high as they were some months ago and
all of this has reduced the publishers' revenue.
While the sales outlook appears healthy, and
there are indications of increased business in
that direction, the other factors with which the
publisher has to contend give him anything
but an optimistic feeling regarding the future.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 16, 1921
Modernlnstructors
Score Big Success
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
41
MARKS SECURES WIEDOEFT SOLOS
Triangle Pub. Co. Turns Over Sales Rights for
Six Solos to E. B. Marks Co.
\bu cant go
wrong with
any'Feist'
Edward B. Marks, head of the Edward B.
Marks Music Co., recently closed arrangements
with Joe Davis, of the Triangle Music Pub.
Co., whereby the former concern takes over the
sales rights for the "Rudy Wiedoeft Saxophone
Solos."
Songs You Should Have on Your
Counter
Rudy Wiedoeft, the composer of this series
CHERIE
of works, is well known in the orchestra and
I'M NOBODY'S BABY
mechanical record field, having been associated
MAMMY'S LITTLE SUNNY
with several of the larger talking machine rec-
HONEY BOY
ord-producing companies for the past few sea-
NESTLE IN YOUR DADDY'S
sons. He is considered one of the world's great-
ARMS
est saxophone artists and his saxophone solo
WANG WANG BLUES
records, as well as the records where he ap-
TWO SWEET LIPS
UNDERNEATH HAWAIIAN
Jahn's Elementary
pears with orchestras, have a large sale.
SKIES
Edward B. Marks, in speaking of the saxo-
Rudiments for Violin
VAMPING
ROSE
phone publication, said: "There is nothing of
What the Martin Instructor does for
ABSENCE
this
kind
on
the
market,
so
they
are,
after
all,
the piano pupil, this book does for the
PEGGY O'NEIL
unique and there is a heavy demand for such
violin student.
SNUGGLE
Each is issued in two volumes.
works, which latter is constantly increasing.
NOBODY'S ROSE
Special introductory price is 25c each,
The
fact
that
they
are
from
the
pen
of
Rudy
MON HOMME (My Man)
the selling price 75c.
The New French Hit
Wiedoeft makes every saxophone soloist and
Both are featured in our National
pupil desirous of obtaining the series."
Ads.
Write for Dealers' Prices
Order freely for your fall needs
Six solos have already been published. They
LEO.*, FEIST, Inc., FEIST Bid*., New York
are: "Valse Erica," "Saxophobia," "Waltz
Llewellyn," "Saxema," "Valma" and "Saxophone flf-I
235 West 40th Street, N. Y.
Fantasy."
It is now understood that Rudy Wiedoeft,
OUTING ON AUGUST 16
who is at present filling an important engage-
FILM SYNCHRONIZED WITH MUSIC
ment in Los Angeles, will return East in the Greater New York Music Publishers' and
Demonstration at the Champs Elysees Theatre early Fall to accept an engagement as the leader
Dealers' Association Ready for Frolic
in Paris Shows Film and Music in Accord
of a dance orchestra in a famous Broadway
resort.
The annual outing of the Greater New York
PARIS, July 9.—Perfect synchronism between the
Music Publishers' and Dealers' Association will
film and the orchestra was produced here yester-
be held on Tuesday, August 16, at Glenwood
NEW BROWN-SPENCER F0X=TR0T
day at a moving picture show.
Lodge, Glenhead, L. I. It is planned for the
By a new device the screen obeys the music. A "Fancies," by Two Well-known Writers, Pub- members of the organization to meet at 10:30
musician or other person works a small keyboard
lished by Witmark & Sons
-in the morning, in front of the National Vaude-
with sliding keys, by means of which he follows
ville Artists' Clubhouse, in West Forty-sixth
Fleta Jan Brown and Herbert Spencer have street.
the conductor in accelerating or slackening the
movement in sympathy with the music. This recently written a new fox-trot which bids fair
keyboard, which of course is graded finely, is to excel the success achieved by the same col-
MILT HAGEN IN CALIFORNIA
connected by a magneto-electric apparatus with laborators' famous "Underneath the Stars." The
the projector, which is thus made automatically to title of the new number, which is published by
Milt Hagen, the well-known publicity man-
M. Witmark & Sons, is "Fancies," and the pub- ager, is now in California and is said to be
follow the conductor's baton.
The demonstration was given at the Champs lishers are placing the full force of their organ- working on a new light opera which has been
Elysees Theatre, a new fanciful revue film by ization behind a publicity campaign in behalf of named "Tahoe."
Rip being shown. There were many dances, the song.
In these days of fox-trots galore "Fancies"
songs and pantomime parts in it.
NOTICE TO THE TRADE!!
will undoubtedly more than hold its own and
as it is also published in song form its popu-
NEW DANCE HIT
larity should be considerable.
Special Prices to Dealers
The J. W. Jenkins Sons' Music Co. is the
FRED
HELTMAN
CO., Cleveland, 0.
publisher of a new song and dance hit called
OF IMPORTANCE
(Established 1908)
"Dangerous Blues." This number is being
heard frequently in vaudeville and with dance
SHIETMUSIC
orchestras it is in great favor. Tt has already
Every Live Dealer
been recorded by a number of talking machine
fanf|>|iar with
and record manufacturers in dance form.
MARTIN'S ELEMENTARY RUDI-
MENTS FOR PIANO has accomplished
what no other instructor ever has. It
so simplifies piano playing that it gets
and holds the pupils' interest from start
to finish.
Teachers will appreciate your ac-
quainting them with it. And your lib-
eral profit makes it worth your while.
rf3
Century Music Publishing Co.
Thinking oi You Sr m
A SIGN
The Progressive Music Co. of Philadelphia, Pa.,
has sold its entire tock to D. L. Schroeder, of
Corona, N. Y. The catalog consists principally of
"The Edition Artistique."
SOME
Most
O F IMt
Secular * ' * * » Duet*
M A N Y I M A I « K t A L W A Y S IN U t M A N K
Contents of SONGLAND
Extensively
Advertised
SECULAR
EDITION BEAUTIFUL^
No music store Is complete without
EDITION
BEAUTIFUL
1500 live dealers will testify to its
success.
It Is carefully edited.
It is the most beautiful edition pub-
lished.
The investment is insignificant.
The results are tremendous.
Write for particulars today.
C. C. CHURCH AND COMPANY
HAKTFORD, CONNECTICUT
Hartford—New York—London—Paris—Sydney
Society's Sensational Fox-trot
Booklet
t'Asleep in the Deep
t'Can't You Heah Me Callin',
Caroline
t* Bam boo Baby
fDear Little Boy of Mine
t'Evening Brings Rest t You
t'God Made You Mine
Heart Call, The
t'Honey. if You Only Knew
f i n the Garden of My Heart
fLamplit Hour. Ths
t ' M a Little Sunflower, Good-
night
f Magic of Your Eyes, The
fMother of Pearl
t'My Rosary for You
t* Night Wind, The
t'One More Day
t* Resignation
t'Smilln' Through
t Songs of Dawn 1 Twilight
(Design—Every Little Nail)
t Spring's a Lovable Ladye
t'Sorter Miss You
fStarlight Love
t'Sunrise and You
t'There's a Long, Long Trail
t Values
t'Want of You, Th«
Those marked with (*)
Those marked with (t)
of
Songs
Ever
Issued
f Where the River Shannon
Flows
t'Who Knows
SACRED
t*A Little While
t'Angel of Light, Lead On
t'Closer Still With Thee
f t v e r at Rest
t'God Shall Wipe Away the
Tears
t'Grateful. 0 Lord, Am I
t*l Come to Thee
t*l Do Believe
t*It Was for Me
t'My Days Are in His Hands
t'Oh Lord, Remember Me
t'Shine. 0 Holy Light
t'Silent Voice, The
t'Teach Me to Pray
t'Thou Art My God
OPERA TIC
t'Gypsy Love Song
t'Kiss Me Again
t*Mother Machree
t'My Wild Irish Rose
t'Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo- RaI
That's an Irish Lullaby
t'When
Irish
Eyes Are
Smiling
published for Duet
published for Quartet
Beat Selling Standard Song* in the World
Hundreds of Dealers Carry This 1 Complete Stock—Do YouT
If Not, Writ* for "SONGLAND ' and Special Proposition.
WitMrk Bide
W ITMARK & S O N S
New York
Robert Norton Co.
226 VI est 46th Street, New York

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